Latvia
Republic of Latvia · Capital: Riga
A eurozone Baltic state whose elegant capital Riga anchors a growing tech and shared-services economy, with a startup visa and EU Blue Card access.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Latvia.
Policy overview
2 visa routes into Latvia
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
EU Blue Card
SkilledLV-EUBC
Residence for highly qualified non-EU professionals.
Eligibility
- Degree
- Job above the threshold
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Startup Visa
EntrepreneurLV-SV
Residence for non-EU founders launching an innovative company.
Eligibility
- Innovative business plan
- Self-support
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Latvia, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Latvia needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
IT & shared services
Riga hosts a growing software and multinational service-centre base.
Forestry & manufacturing
Wood products and light manufacturing remain important employers.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Riga
Capital & tech hubThe Baltics' largest city, with the region's jobs, culture and nightlife.
- Cost index
- 58
- 1-bed rent
- $700
- Quality
- 78
Jūrmala
Beach resortA seaside resort town next to Riga, popular for relaxed coastal living.
- Cost index
- 56
- 1-bed rent
- $650
- Quality
- 80
Liepāja
Wind-city portA characterful western port city with a music scene and low costs.
- Cost index
- 48
- 1-bed rent
- $500
- Quality
- 76
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendOpen to skilled migrants and Ukrainians; NATO frontline near Russia.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Generally safe; some nightlife-area petty crime in Riga.
Higher = safer (crime index 32/100).
Where to live
Which Latvia city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Riga
Art-nouveau & lively
The Baltics' largest city, with the region's jobs, culture and nightlife.
Jūrmala
Pine-and-sea calm
A seaside resort town next to Riga, popular for relaxed coastal living.
Liepāja
Bohemian coast
A characterful western port city with a music scene and low costs.
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